5:53 PM,
Jul. 17, 2013

Dann Woellert, left, with Joe Kiradjieff, son of one of the founders of Empress Chili, and the owner of Empress until 2009.

Written by

Dave Malaska
| Enquirer contributor

Like any good Tristater, DannWoellert loves his Cincinnati chili. The historian and author - a self-described "foodie" - grew up in Springfield Township, where Skyline Chili parlors were seemingly as ubiquitous as fire hydrants.

He knows the perfect chili-to-spaghetti ratio, the rules of hot sauce usage and the joy of slurping that last bit of chili off your hand after it's leaked from your cheese coney.

Last year, Woellert determined it was time to bring together two of his great loves: the Cincinnati delicacy and history. ...